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Aim: Reducing the rate of alien species introductions is a major conservation aim. However, accurately quantifying the rate at which species are introduced into new regions remains a challenge due to the confounding effect of observation efforts on discovery records. Despite the recognition of this issue, most analyses are still based on raw discovery records, leading to biased inferences. In this study, we evaluate different models for estimating introduction rates, including new models that use auxiliary data on observation effort, and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Innovation: We compare four models: (1) a naïve model which assumes perfect detection; (2) a model proposed by Solow and Costello (the S&C model); (3) constant detection model: a modified version of the S&C model with constant detection probabilities and (4) a novel sampling proxy model: a model that uses external data on observation effort. We simulate discovery records of varying lengths, introduction rates and temporal patterns of detection probabilities to explore scenarios under which these models accurately estimate underlying introduction rates. (5) We also include code to perform a model based on Belmaker using independent data on the number of native species. Main conclusion: We found that the length of the discovery records and the annual number of recorded species play a crucial role in the performance of all models. Under simulated scenarios of high detection, the naïve model is usually the best‐performing model, but it falls short when detection is low. Moreover, we find that in simulations which most likely mimic most real‐world cases (i.e. non‐monotonic probability of detection), incorporating external data on observation effort using the sampling proxy model, substantially improve estimates. This highlights the importance of considering observation effort when estimating introduction rates of alien species. To facilitate the use of these models, we provide a decision workflow and a dedicated R package ('alien'). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the unique learning process of the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS). This approach to the development of enterprises and entrepreneurship, originated in the ethnic group of communities in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, uses mimetic learning to instil in its participants’ knowledge and behaviours intended to create a lifelong approach and mindset to entrepreneurship development. This form of mimetic learning predates the mediaeval era and takes place outside the formal educational system. As a consequence, it largely does not rely on participants having a specific level of educational achievement. Rather it requires a long-term commitment from the apprentice, their family and the entrepreneur. The research expands the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial learning through an evaluation of an entirely experiential base using the Mimetic Theory and Institutional Logics as the critical lens to explore the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and social learning. It evaluates and combines the available evidence into a conceptual framework that shapes the process of entrepreneurial learning as an experiential activity. Qualitative data were gathered from 40 former and current apprentices and critically analysed using the illustrative case study and process tracing approach. The research contributes to the extant entrepreneurial learning process literature by identifying, reviewing and synthesizing available research into a conceptual framework that explores the process of entrepreneurial learning as an experiential process. It also highlights effective mechanisms of skills transfer and business training, contributing to the literature on informal/vocational training and human capital development. Key issues in entrepreneurship education including the different informal learning processes of the IAS and the identification of specific dynamics in the interaction and development of the learners were examined.

Banks maintain their accounting records and prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS. Annual financial statements are a set of reports that characterize the financial position, results of the bank’s operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the year. It is interesting to note that the end of the reporting period is only the beginning of the stage of preparation and disclosure of financial statements. After all, in addition to the reporting date and the date of disclosure of the annual financial statements, which are known to the general public, there is a whole list of dates that are known only to managers, accountants and auditors. These are the date of completion of preparation, the date of submission to the Board of Directors, the date of partial disclosure of certain indicators, such as profit, the date of approval of the financial statements by shareholders, etc. As a rule, the reporting date is December 31 of the respective year, although it may be different in accordance with IFRS. Accordingly, the date of publication of the annual financial statements is April 30 of the year following the reporting year. At the same time, a certain period of time elapses between the reporting date and the date of approval of the financial statements. The Bank’s operations are ongoing, and therefore, there is a high probability that new events and circumstances may arise. IFRSs recommend disclosing information about events that occur between the reporting date and the date the financial statements are authorized for issue or the date the financial results or selective information is available. Such recommendations should not be ignored, as this may indicate the concealment of important information or even be classified as fraud. Events after the reporting period are any events, which may be positive or negative, favorable or unfavorable, that occur from the end of the reporting period until the financial statements are authorized vfor issue. The classification of these events depends on the date of their probable occurrence and, accordingly, their impact on the financial statements. In general, these are events that affect the financial statements and require adjustments or events that do not require adjustments. It is worth paying attention to events after the reporting period that may affect the going concern basis. IFRS prohibit banks from preparing financial statements on a going concern basis if events after the reporting period indicate that such an assumption is inappropriate. The decision to use the going concern basis is based on a checklist of going concern triggers and their detailed analysis. The checklist of triggers includes: economic and geopolitical situation; level of income and cash flows of the bank; liquidity and solvency of the bank, as well as current and future profitability; financial position of counterparties; external and internal factors affecting the work of employees. For the financial statements prepared for the year ending December 31, 2021, the war and its consequences are events that do not require adjustment, as they reflect conditions that arose after the reporting period. For example, the company’s assets were damaged as a result of hostilities between the end of the reporting period and the authorization of the financial statements for issue. In accordance with IFRS, any impairment losses will be recognized in the period in which they occur. Accordingly, information on significant losses from asset damage will not adjust the 2021 financial data, but should be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The study analyzed the notes to the annual financial statements of banks for 2019-2022.

Intact atrial septum (IAS), occurring in ∼10% of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), conveys significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. Perinatal interventions have been described, but outcomes remain poor. We present a fetus with HLHS with IAS who underwent immediate novel postnatal atrial appendage anastomosis, thus achieving rapid left atrial decompression. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are a principal threat to global biodiversity and the early detection of new introductions is key to facilitate a rapid response to limit the risk of establishment and spread. Related to this, there is growing interest in using environmental DNA (eDNA) for INNS detection. The applied use of eDNA in ecology is, however, in its relative infancy with few species for which regulator-approved methods are available. Here, laboratory trials were conducted to investigate the use of commercially available eDNA assays for detecting two high priority INNS in the UK, killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus) and signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), at different population densities. For killer shrimp, DNA of the expected fragment size was detected from all three trials where animals were maintained at a density of 1 per 1 L but species confirmation by Sanger sequencing was only possible for one of these replicates. Whilst capillary electrophoresis detected DNA of the expected fragment size in serially diluted samples down to a density of 1 shrimp in 100 L, this could not be confirmed by sequencing. Signal crayfish DNA was detected by qPCR in all four trials where animals were housed at a density of 1 per 10 L. Using serial dilutions, it was possible to detect signal crayfish in samples representing a density of 1 per 1,000 L, however this was unreliable. These results demonstrate the potential for using eDNA as a detection method for killer shrimp and signal crayfish but also highlights that detectability is species/assay specific and dependant on population density. The insights gained will help inform decisions surrounding the appropriateness of using these eDNA assays, and improve interpretation of any results generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the multifaceted impact of International Accounting Standards (IAS) on corporate reporting transparency. Amidst the interconnected global business landscape, the study aims to discern global adoption trends, financial reporting quality, stakeholder perceptions, implementation challenges, and the responsiveness of IAS to industry dynamics. Through meticulous analyses spanning the years 2010 to 2020, the research unfolds key insights. The adoption of IAS is a critical facet of global financial reporting, influencing business practices, investor decisions, and regulatory frameworks. Understanding its impact is paramount for policymakers, standard-setters, and businesses navigating an increasingly interconnected and diverse financial ecosystem. This research seeks to comprehensively examine the intricate relationship between IAS and corporate reporting transparency. By delving into adoption trends, financial metrics, stakeholder perspectives, implementation challenges, and update responsiveness, the study aims to provide a holistic view of the global accounting landscape. The analysis reveals a consistent upward trajectory in global IAS adoption, with North America and the Asia-Pacific region playing pivotal roles. Financial reporting quality experiences substantial improvements, particularly benefiting smaller enterprises. Stakeholder perceptions vary across regions and professional roles, emphasizing the need for tailored communication strategies. Implementation challenges, including legal framework complexities and cultural differences, underscore the intricate nature of global adoption. The frequency of IAS updates showcases the adaptability of standards to emerging trends, emphasizing sector-specific implications. This research concludes that IAS significantly influences corporate reporting transparency, offering a standardized framework for diverse business scales. Challenges in implementation necessitate targeted interventions, with recommendations focusing on stakeholder communication, tailored support for small enterprises, and addressing legal and cultural complexities. The adaptability of IAS to industry dynamics reaffirms its role as a responsive and evolving standard. As businesses, regulators, and standard-setters move forward, continuous collaboration and flexibility become imperative for navigating the complexities of a globally harmonized financial reporting landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the wide amount of scientific contributions published on alien plant species, their diffusion dynamics, and their interactions with native taxa, it is increasingly difficult to slow down their spreading and their negative impact on habitats. Last recent years, in fact, a sharp rise in the number of new alien plant taxa introduced in Italy and Europe has been recorded. The aim of this work is to investigate most of the Italian territory in order to verify whether this alarming trend is still underway. Specimen collections and/or observations of alien plants have been performed in as many as 12 Italian regions. All the collected specimens are stored in public or private herbaria. Taxa have been identified according to the literature from the countries of origin of the investigated taxa, while the nomenclature followed the current international references. Updates on 106 taxa are reported. In particular, among 117 new records, 89 are first records, 27 are changes to status and there is 1 extinction. Seven new taxa for Italian alien flora are reported, two of which are new to Europe. The administrative regions with the highest number of records are Calabria (48), Sardegna (17) and Sicilia (15). Five of the surveyed taxa, for the first time, have been considered invasive aliens to Italian territory. The unfrequent amount of original results provided by this work, over the simple importance of data itself, proves how floristic investigation, still today, represents one of the most effective tools in broadening the current knowledge about alien taxa and their dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the essence and classification of events after the reporting date. The methodology for disclosing events after the reporting date in financial statements in accordance with IFRS has been analyzed. Accounting for events after the reporting date is regulated by IAS 10 «Events after the Reporting Period». It determines when the financial statements should be adjusted due to material events that occurred after the reporting period and what information about such events should be disclosed in the financial statements before they are issued. The authors have identified problems with disclosing events occurring after the reporting date, assessing their materiality, applying an individual approach to their recognition, and reflecting information about them in the auditor’s report. Particular attention is paid to the going concern principle. Ultimately, IFRS prohibit banks from preparing financial statements on a going concern basis if events after the reporting period indicate that such an assumption is inappropriate. The consequences of a full-scale military invasion touched all spheres of life and significantly affected business. The situation develops rapidly and sometimes unpredictably, and management needs to constantly assess the impact of the situation on the business in order to continue to prepare reliable financial statements and make correct and timely management decisions. Financial reporting specialists closely monitor events that occur after the reporting date and assess their possible impact on the financial statements. An important role in this process is played by the auditor, who assesses the going concern basis and expresses his or her opinion. It has been established that the war in the accounting sense belongs to non-adjusting events. In the course of the study, the impact of events after the reporting date on the financial position and performance of banks has been determined. The notes of PrivatBank for 2019-2022 have been analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the multifaceted impact of International Accounting Standards (IAS) on corporate reporting transparency. Amidst the interconnected global business landscape, the study aims to discern global adoption trends, financial reporting quality, stakeholder perceptions, implementation challenges, and the responsiveness of IAS to industry dynamics. Through meticulous analyses spanning the years 2010 to 2020, the research unfolds key insights. The adoption of IAS is a critical facet of global financial reporting, influencing business practices, investor decisions, and regulatory frameworks. Understanding its impact is paramount for policymakers, standard-setters, and businesses navigating an increasingly interconnected and diverse financial ecosystem. This research seeks to comprehensively examine the intricate relationship between IAS and corporate reporting transparency. By delving into adoption trends, financial metrics, stakeholder perspectives, implementation challenges, and update responsiveness, the study aims to provide a holistic view of the global accounting landscape. The analysis reveals a consistent upward trajectory in global IAS adoption, with North America and the Asia-Pacific region playing pivotal roles. Financial reporting quality experiences substantial improvements, particularly benefiting smaller enterprises. Stakeholder perceptions vary across regions and professional roles, emphasizing the need for tailored communication strategies. Implementation challenges, including legal framework complexities and cultural differences, underscore the intricate nature of global adoption. The frequency of IAS updates showcases the adaptability of standards to emerging trends, emphasizing sector-specific implications. This research concludes that IAS significantly influences corporate reporting transparency, offering a standardized framework for diverse business scales. Challenges in implementation necessitate targeted interventions, with recommendations focusing on stakeholder communication, tailored support for small enterprises, and addressing legal and cultural complexities. The adaptability of IAS to industry dynamics reaffirms its role as a responsive and evolving standard. As businesses, regulators, and standard-setters move forward, continuous collaboration and flexibility become imperative for navigating the complexities of a globally harmonized financial reporting landscape.

The global rise in issues related to the invasion of alien tree species is becoming increasingly prominent. Genus Acacia is one of the most pervasive invaders among the non-native flora introduced to Portugal over the centuries. This research aimed to pinpoint the key players engaged in its management, their expertise, and the methodologies applied to control acacias or decrease affected regions. Data were gathered via an online survey and subjected to diverse statistical analyses. Numerous stakeholders have emerged in recent decades, employing various methods to fight acacia invasion. Mechanical, chemical, and combined methods are the most frequently applied. The findings highlight the need for continued funding for long-term acacia control in the same invaded areas, increased training actions and best practices demonstration in the field and increased public awareness and engagement in local communities and the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human inducible pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes (iAs) are critical to study astrocytes in health and disease. They provide several advantages over human fetal astrocytes in research, which include consistency, availability, disease modeling, customization, and ethical considerations. The generation of iAs is hampered by the requirement of Matrigel matrix coating for survival and proliferation. We provide a protocol demonstrating that human iAs cultured in the absence of Matrigel are viable and proliferative. Further, through a side-by-side comparison of cultures with and without Matrigel, we show significant similarities in astrocyte-specific profiling, including morphology (shape and structure), phenotype (cell-specific markers), genotype (transcriptional expression), metabolic (respiration), and functional aspects (glutamate uptake and cytokine response). In addition, we report that, unlike other CNS cell types, such as neuronal progenitor cells and neurons, iAs can withstand the absence of Matrigel coating. Our study demonstrates that Matrigel is dispensable for the culture of human iPSC-derived astrocytes, facilitating an easy, streamlined, and cost-effective method of generating these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the audit services market is an indicator of the development of the economy of any country. Since, on the one hand, audit firms as economic agents conduct their business and various changes in such an environment appropriately affect the financial performance of such firms. On the other hand, audit firms express their opinion on the financial statements of various audited enterprises and the types of such opinions can reveal a picture of the state and disclosure of financial information of enterprises. It should be noted that in the Republic of Moldova, the audit market has both common features related to the world market of audit services, and there are national peculiarities. Conducting a study of the audit services market, the author analyzed various indicators of audit firms of the Republic of Moldova, both financial and non-financial, as a result of which conclusions were drawn about the peculiarities of the development of the audit services market in the Republic of Moldovaаnd the prospects for the development of this market in the future.

Background: Exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS) is an immunological disorder caused by circulating insulin antibodies (IAs), featuring hypersensitivity to exogenous insulin and insulin resistance. With the wide use of recombinant human insulin and insulin analogs, there has been a significant proliferation of EIAS. Case Report: We describe two cases of diabetes mellitus (DM) with hyperinsulinemia and high serum levels of IAs. They had never been exposed to methimazole, glutathione, lipoic acid, and other sulfhydryl drugs, but they all received insulin treatment. The patient in case 1 had recurrent hypoglycemia before hospitalization. A prolonged oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed hypoglycemia with inappropriately high insulin levels. The patient in case 2 was hospitalized for diabetic ketosis. An OGTT indicated hyperglycemia with hyperinsulinemia and low levels of C-peptide. IAs induced by exogenous insulin in the two patients with DM were positive at high titers, prompting a diagnosis of another condition—EIAS. Conclusion: We discussed the differences between these two cases of EIAS in clinical manifestations and treatment and summarized all patients of EIAS treated in our department to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the wide amount of scientific contributions published on alien plant species, their diffusion dynamics, and their interactions with native taxa, it is increasingly difficult to slow down their spreading and their negative impact on habitats. Last recent years, in fact, a sharp rise in the number of new alien plant taxa introduced in Italy and Europe has been recorded. The aim of this work is to investigate most of the Italian territory in order to verify whether this alarming trend is still underway. Specimen collections and/or observations of alien plants have been performed in as many as 12 Italian regions. All the collected specimens are stored in public or private herbaria. Taxa have been identified according to the literature from the countries of origin of the investigated taxa, while the nomenclature followed the current international references. Updates on 106 taxa are reported. In particular, among 117 new records, 89 are first records, 27 are changes to status and there is 1 extinction. Seven new taxa for Italian alien flora are reported, two of which are new to Europe. The administrative regions with the highest number of records are Calabria (48), Sardegna (17) and Sicilia (15). Five of the surveyed taxa, for the first time, have been considered invasive aliens to Italian territory. The unfrequent amount of original results provided by this work, over the simple importance of data itself, proves how floristic investigation, still today, represents one of the most effective tools in broadening the current knowledge about alien taxa and their dynamics.

The packaging has proven to be a source of some serious food contaminants, with several chemicals migrating from the food contact material into the food. Therefore, efficient means of control of the migration extend and identification of the migrating substances must be established. The necessity of migration tests has been underlined by the European Union (EU) Regulation No. 10/2011, requiring the evaluation of the presence of intentionally and non-intentionally added substances. To facilitate this purpose, highly sensitive, multi-analyte methods are required. Targeting a wide range of volatile migrating compounds, we developed and validated a GC-EI-QqQ-MS and a GC-APCI-QTOF-MS method for the simultaneous determination of 131 and 126 food packaging substances, respectively. Even though the GC-EI-QqQ-MS method presented increased sensitivity for several of the investigated compounds, covering the existing EU requirements and specific migration limits (SMLs) for all targeted analytes; the complementary high-resolution method inherently enables the possibility of further utilization of the obtained raw data among others for retrospective analysis. The applicability of both methods was tested using 95% v/v aqueous ethanol food simulant, representative for the worst foreseeable conditions of intended use for many food contact material applications. Real food packaging samples belonging to different types of plastic materials were tested toward chemical migration, utilizing different migration protocols, depending on the sample characteristics. The favorable analytical features of both methods enable their use for the direct analysis of the investigated food simulant, overcoming the need for sample preparation. Thus, labor intensive and/or time-consuming pre-concentration procedures, which would furthermore restrict the applicability of the methods to certain groups of analytes and add to the uncertainty of the overall results, could be eliminated.

Invasive alien species (IAS) threaten the biodiversity richness of the Mediterranean basin, a drought-prone region. However, our knowledge on the adaptive strategies of IAS for facing Mediterranean drought summers is still incomplete. The aim of the present study is to compare the water relations and the critical relative water content (RWC) values leading to loss of cell rehydration capacity of two Mediterranean basin IAS (i.e. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle and Robinia pseudoacacia L.) versus two co-occurring native species (i.e. Fraxinus ornus L. and Quercus pubescens  Willd.). Study IAS showed higher values of water potential at turgor loss point and osmotic potential at full turgor, lower values of modulus of elasticity and leaf mass area but higher photosynthesis rate, even during the summer, with respect to the Mediterranean native species. These findings supported the hypothesis that IAS are characterized by a resource acquisitive strategy coupled with a safety-efficiency trade-off, compared with Mediterranean native species. However, similar leaf RWC thresholds leading to loss of cell rehydration capacity were recorded in the two groups of species. Moreover, IAS showed higher saturated water content and capacitance values compared with the co-occurring species. Overall, our results suggest that the success of Mediterranean IAS is driven by their ability to delay dehydration damage of mesophyll cells during Mediterranean summer drought, thereby supporting their distinctive high carbon assimilation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global rise in issues related to the invasion of alien tree species is becoming increasingly prominent. Genus Acacia is one of the most pervasive invaders among the non-native flora introduced to Portugal over the centuries. This research aimed to pinpoint the key players engaged in its management, their expertise, and the methodologies applied to control acacias or decrease affected regions. Data were gathered via an online survey and subjected to diverse statistical analyses. Numerous stakeholders have emerged in recent decades, employing various methods to fight acacia invasion. Mechanical, chemical, and combined methods are the most frequently applied. The findings highlight the need for continued funding for long-term acacia control in the same invaded areas, increased training actions and best practices demonstration in the field and increased public awareness and engagement in local communities and the general public.

Abstract Herein, we first report the comprehensive description of the terrestrial slug, Sarasinula plebeia (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) by employing morphology, morpho-taxometrics and molecular analysis. A rapid survey on terrestrial slug invasive alien species (IAS) was conducted in La Dicha, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, the Philippines. Obtained COI gene sequences shared 100% similarities to S. plebeia from Brazil (JX532107, KM489378), Dominica (KM489500) and Vietnam (KM489367) and further supported using Bayesian analysis thus designated as S. plebeia isolate LDZS. Notably, the first reported S. plebeia in 2013 from Batan island, Batanes, northern Philippines, characterized through COI gene markers (JQ582277, JQ582278, JQ582279) showed 100% sequence similarities to a closely related veronicellid slug, Laevecaulis alte isolates (LC636101, LC636102, LC636103, and LC636104) from Japan. Taken this into account, our S. plebeia LDZS isolated from an agricultural field is the first report in the Philippines with combined diagnostic tools for the taxon.

The conventional modal strain energy (MSE), as a practical objective function, suffers from the lack of access to the damaged stiffness matrix and uses the intact stiffness matrix of the structure instead. To overcome the aforementioned deficiency of the MSE, this study proposes a reformed elastic strain energy-dissipation criterion called the "augmented modal strain energy" (AMSE) which is composed of relative differences of natural frequency and mode shape. In the AMSE not only the effects of the energy-dissipation criterion as a function of natural frequency but also the equilibria of the elastic strain energy as a function of mode shape are considered. Hereupon, the AMSE is implemented along with the interactive autodidactic school (IAS) optimization algorithm to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed identification method. In this regard, the AMSE is verified by assessing three benchmark truss and frame structures. The obtained results confirm the reliable performance of AMSE in both terms of intensification and diversification. Furthermore, it is observed that despite using noise-polluted modal data, the proposed AMSE not only identifies the damage location accurately, but also anticipates the extent of damage precisely. Consequently, the proposed energy-dissipation-based objective function (AMSE) is suggested, along with the IAS optimization algorithm, as a robust technique for the damage detection of structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate assessment of the intangible assets is a significant challenge for most entities, regardless of the industry sector. However, situations can arise in accounting where intangible assets may be significantly detracted or overstated and we have chosen to present some of the possible effects of this phenomenon. In this sense, there were analyzed practical aspects regarding the financial statements' distortion through the overstatement and, respectively, the detraction of intangible assets, as these meant to be recognized in the financial statement and might influence the economic entity's financial indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The participation of species of alien origin in the flora of individual regions of the world is increasing. A large proportion of these species pose a threat to biodiversity. Issues of the dynamics of changes in the flora and the scale and pace of the processes, with particular emphasis on the biology, ecology, chorology, and genetic variability of the populations of plants of alien origin, including those alien species which are invasive, have been the subject of many years of research in this field in Poland. The present study is an overview of the state of research on invasive plant species in Poland, including the main results of the basic and applied research which have provided the basis for (i) the preparation of a list of invasive plant species for Poland; (ii) assessing the degree of invasiveness of the species analysed, in accordance with the adoption of criteria and the development of methodological solutions. In this work, a new version of the list of invasive plant species has been prepared on the basis of earlier studies, combining theoretical and practical aspects of definition, and it is compared with the list of invasive alien plant species considered to constitute a threat to the EU and Poland as a member country. The categorization (risk assessment) of invasive alien species along with the identification of the most endangered types of natural habitats is often used in practice in the management of invasive plants in Poland. The results of our research have fed into the formulation of legal regulations at the global and regional levels.

The largest application area of food contact materials is the packaging of foodstuff, being an essential element in the preservation of the microbiological and sensory quality of the packaged goods. However, chemical compounds present in the packaging material, either intentionally added or non-intentionally present, may migrate into the food during packaging and storage. With a large variety of materials used in the production, food packaging requires safety assessments with respect to the migration of packaging compounds into the packaged goods. The present article deals with the safety assessment of potential migrants from food contact materials, approaches to migration testing and summarizes European food regulatory requirements with special focus on infants’ dietary exposure.

In this paper, spring element is used to simulate the vertical support of ballast and sleepers to the rail, which is called “elastic support”. Low-pass filtering technology was adopted to extract the response of the driving frequency component in acceleration signal of the contact point between vehicle and rail, and Hilbert transform was carried out on it to obtain instantaneous amplitude squared (IAS) information to judge the damage of rail and elastic supports through the peak values in the IAS identification diagram. Based on this principle, the crack damage of rail and stiffness damage of elastic support are studied, the applicability of IAS method for the rail and elastic support under different damage degrees and damage amounts is analyzed, and the influence of parameters such as vehicle speed, vehicle damping ratio, vehicle mass and frequency, track damping and rail irregularity on IAS damage location method is discussed. The results show that the IAS method can accurately identify the damage of elastic support and rail under different damage locations and different damage degrees. Under proper vehicle speed, the IAS method can accurately locate the damage; The influence of vehicle frequency on damage identification results is small. With the increase of vehicle damping ratio, the amplitude of IAS results decreases, while track damping has almost no effect on damage identification. Due to the existence of track irregularity, the damage signal collected by test vehicle may be covered by irregularity, and the interference of track irregularity can be reduced by increasing the mass of test vehicle.

Human inducible pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes (iAs) are critical to study astrocytes in health and disease. They provide several advantages over human fetal astrocytes in research, which include consistency, availability, disease modeling, customization, and ethical considerations. The generation of iAs is hampered by the requirement of Matrigel matrix coating for survival and proliferation. We provide a protocol demonstrating that human iAs cultured in the absence of Matrigel are viable and proliferative. Further, through a side-by-side comparison of cultures with and without Matrigel, we show significant similarities in astrocyte-specific profiling, including morphology (shape and structure), phenotype (cell-specific markers), genotype (transcriptional expression), metabolic (respiration), and functional aspects (glutamate uptake and cytokine response). In addition, we report that, unlike other CNS cell types, such as neuronal progenitor cells and neurons, iAs can withstand the absence of Matrigel coating. Our study demonstrates that Matrigel is dispensable for the culture of human iPSC-derived astrocytes, facilitating an easy, streamlined, and cost-effective method of generating these cells.

The invasive alien species (IAS) are widely recognized as a significant threat to marine biodiversity and severely affect ecosystem services. There has been no measurable global assessment of their impacts and routes of introduction. This review highlights some aspects of invasive species and their impacts on the ecosystem in general. For many roots like global transportation, biological pest control, climate changes, and sometimes commercial, invasive species are introduced into the new environments. Afterward, the invasive species are rapidly dominant over the indigenous species because of their first growth, rapid reproduction, ecological competence, and phenotypic plasticity, consequently, altering the structure of Ecosystems and deterring the biological and physical organization of the system. Many policies have been introduced to stop the destruction produced by invasive animals and plants and to prevent upcoming invasions. Some critical components of getting rid of invasion are concern about transporting wildlife to new areas, Ballast water in tankers, aquarium species, and shipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species are considered the second greatest global threat to biodiversity. This study is aimed at determining the impacts of Parthenium hysterophorus on herbaceous and woody plant species diversity in the Ginir district, southeast Ethiopia. Data on vegetation were collected from the three study sites' four land use types, with each land use type having invaded and non-invaded land units. A systematic random sampling method was used for establishing sampling plots. To examine the impacts of the invasive on native plant diversity, a total of 160 plots (120 plots of 1 m2 on grazing lands, roadsides, and abandoned agricultural lands and 40 plots of 20 m2 for sampling herbaceous and tree (shrub) species, respectively) were established. The number of plots was equally distributed in both invaded and adjacent non-invaded areas. Plant species from each plot were recorded and identified. In each plot, all the individuals of P. hysterophorus were counted, the heights of the five tallest individuals were measured, and the mean height was calculated. The percentage cover of P. hysterophorus was visually estimated. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 105 plant species (45 trees/shrubs and 60 herbaceous) belonging to 84 genera and 42 families were documented in the study area. The result showed a strong negative relationship between the density of P. hysterophorus and other plant species richness (r = −0.82, p = 0.013) and species abundance (r = −0.917, p = 0.001) per study site of the invaded community. Species richness in the non-invaded site was higher (105 species) than in the invaded area (63 species), demonstrating the negative impact of P. hysterophorus on local biodiversity. Furthermore, the number of plant families was 42 in the non-invaded area, in contrast to only 32 in the invaded areas, a 23.8% decline. Of the plant communities, similarity indices between non-invaded and invaded sites among different land use types were >50%. It was concluded that P. hysterophorus was one of the most dominant invasive alien species in the study area that reduced the species diversity of various plant species. Putting in place a strategy and effective planning for the control and management of this invasive alien species is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to research the major changes in the Conceptual Framework of Financial Reporting; to find out the new gaps in the current document; to group the changes into categories; to analyze the current difficulties and consequences of these changes for a consistent understanding between standard-setters and practitioners. The Onion research model based on the quantitative data collection with elements of descriptive analysis was considered as important contributions to the research methodology of the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting investigation. As a result, a comparative analysis of the financial reporting concepts was made between July 1989, September 2010, and March 2018. The implications of results are two-fold. On the one hand, the revised Conceptual Framework is a more comprehensive set of concepts that enhance the understanding between practitioners and standard-setters. On the other hand, it consists of the new gaps most of them in the ―Updating” category. It is concluded that this innovation complicates the reporting process for practitioners because it requires using of additional judgments. Besides, the investigation shows some IFRS are not justified within only the Conceptual Framework that might be the subject for further research.

Daniele Cappellani,1 Enrico Macchia,1 Alberto Falorni,2 Piero Marchetti3 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; 2Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; 3Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Metabolism and Cell Transplantation, University of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyCorrespondence: Daniele CappellaniDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Ospedale Cisanello, via Paradisa 2, Pisa 56124, ItalyTel +39 50 995001Fax +39 50 578772Email d.cappellani@hotmail.itAbstract: Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS), also named Hirata’s disease, is a rare condition characterized by hypoglycemic episodes due to the presence of high titers of insulin autoantibodies (IAA). IAS is a form of immune-mediated hypoglycemia, which develops when a triggering factor (ie, a medication or a viral infection) acts on an underlying predisposing genetic background. IAS pathogenesis involves the formation of insulin-IAA complexes that induce glycemic alterations with a double-phase mechanism: IAA prevent insulin to bind its receptor in the postprandial phase, possibly resulting in mild hyperglycemia; thereafter, insulin is released from the complexes irrespective of blood glucose concentrations, thus inducing hypoglycemia. The diagnosis of IAS is challenging, requiring a careful workup aimed at excluding other causes of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. The gold standard for the definitive diagnosis is the finding of IAA in a blood sample. Because IAS is frequently a self-remitting disease, its management mostly consists of supportive measures, such as dietary modifications, aimed at preventing the development of hypoglycemia. Pharmacological therapies may occasionally be necessary for patients presenting with severe manifestations of IAS. Available therapies may include drugs that reduce pancreatic insulin secretion (somatostatin analogues and diazoxide, for instance) and immunosuppressive agents (glucocorticoids, azathioprine and rituximab). The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the disease, by describing the burden of knowledge that has been obtained in the 50 years following its first description, took in 1970, and by highlighting the points that are still unclear in its pathogenesis and management.Keywords: insulin autoimmune syndrome, IAS, Hirata, hypoglycemia, autoimmunity

The information demands of a globalized society are forcing businesses to produce financial statements that meet the requirements of all stakeholders. The purpose of the article was to assess what information entities disclose in the financial statements prepared in accordance with IAS and IFRS, and what conflicts arise. Theoretical and methodological aspects of the results of scientists prove the importance of information disclosure in the financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. At the same time, the issue of disclosure of information in the financial statements remains open, taking into account the needs of current activities of enterprises. In view of this, there is a need to: study the provision of users of financial statements with information, the disclosure of which provides for international standards; testing hypotheses about the need to study the differences between the types of financial statements provided for in IFRS and IAS and reviewing the long-term liability in the event of early repayment. Based on the analysis, it is established that the information required for disclosure in the financial statements determines the type of financial statements. The conducted research testifies to the presence of gaps in IFRS in the order of compilation and information content of the combined reporting. It is proposed that the combined financial statements be prepared by entities that for one reason or another do not meet the requirements of IFRS 10. It is established that an important condition for reliable reflection in the Statement of financial position information on long-term credit is the need to analyze during the year. It is proposed to consider part of the long-term loan in the form of payments, which must be repaid within twelve months from the date of reporting, as a current liability. This approach requires reclassifying existing credit from long-term to current liabilities, which will lead to further changes in cash flow estimates, adjusting the carrying amount of liabilities. The results of the study can be used by practitioners in various sectors of the economy in the formation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls within children's playgrounds result in long bone and serious injuries. To lower the likelihood and severity of injury, impact attenuating surfaces (IAS) are installed within the impact area (fall zone). There are three primary IAS materials used, namely: granulated rubber products, wood fibre products, and sand. There is a deficiency with existing IAS test methods in that they do not take account of sand degradation over time. When children use the playground, sand degradation can occur when sand produces fines and smaller particles with low sphericity and angular which fill the voids between the sand particles. These fines and smaller particles tend to bind the sand and lower its impact attenuating performance. This paper proposes an additional IAS test to eliminate sands that degrade above an established threshold rate after installation due to normal usage. IAS degradation properties of fifteen IAS sands were tested including sand particle shape, sand particle distribution, percentage fines and sand particle degradation. This accelerated ageing test method is applicable only to sands and not rubber or wood fibre IAS products. The best IAS sands were sourced from quarries located on rivers that had eroded volcanic outcrops. These sands were shown to degrade the least and had little to no fines, and their particle shape was rounded to well-rounded. The most reliable source for good quality IAS sands on these rivers was on specific bends. The sand mined at these locations consistently had a tight particle size distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Business Law Journal / Administração de Empresas em Revista is the property of Administracao de Empresas em Revista and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Invasive alien species are considered the second greatest global threat to biodiversity. This study is aimed at determining the impacts of Parthenium hysterophorus on herbaceous and woody plant species diversity in the Ginir district, southeast Ethiopia. Data on vegetation were collected from the three study sites’ four land use types, with each land use type having invaded and non-invaded land units. A systematic random sampling method was used for establishing sampling plots. To examine the impacts of the invasive on native plant diversity, a total of 160 plots (120 plots of 1 m2 on grazing lands, roadsides, and abandoned agricultural lands and 40 plots of 20 m2 for sampling herbaceous and tree (shrub) species, respectively) were established. The number of plots was equally distributed in both invaded and adjacent non-invaded areas. Plant species from each plot were recorded and identified. In each plot, all the individuals of P. hysterophorus were counted, the heights of the five tallest individuals were measured, and the mean height was calculated. The percentage cover of P. hysterophorus was visually estimated. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 105 plant species (45 trees/shrubs and 60 herbaceous) belonging to 84 genera and 42 families were documented in the study area. The result showed a strong negative relationship between the density of P. hysterophorus and other plant species richness (r = −0.82, p = 0.013) and species abundance (r = −0.917, p = 0.001) per study site of the invaded community. Species richness in the non-invaded site was higher (105 species) than in the invaded area (63 species), demonstrating the negative impact of P. hysterophorus on local biodiversity. Furthermore, the number of plant families was 42 in the non-invaded area, in contrast to only 32 in the invaded areas, a 23.8% decline. Of the plant communities, similarity indices between non-invaded and invaded sites among different land use types were >50%. It was concluded that P. hysterophorus was one of the most dominant invasive alien species in the study area that reduced the species diversity of various plant species. Putting in place a strategy and effective planning for the control and management of this invasive alien species is strongly recommended.

When colonizing new areas, invasive alien species (IAS) have the potential to introduce parasites, which may be perilous to native species. In the Philippines, however, parasite communities of IAS have received little attention. Here, we provide the first report of the gastrointestinal helminths parasitizing Rhinella marina, one of the most common and widespread IAS anurans in the Philippines. A total of 318 individuals of helminths classified as trematodes (Glypthelmins sp. and Mesocoelium sp.) and nematodes (Falcaustra sp. and Physaloptera sp.) were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of 31 out of 67 individuals (46%) of R. marina collected from four selected urban green spaces within Metro Manila. Glypthelmins sp. was the most prevalent (P = 20.9%), dominant (D = 62.3%), and had the highest mean intensity (14.1 ± 15.9) among the identified helminths. Our results contribute knowledge on diversity and infection patterns of gastrointestinal helminths associated with the invasive toad R. marina in the Philippines. Further studies are needed to investigate the helminth fauna of other IAS anurans present in the country and to accurately assess the possible transmission of these parasites between colonizers and native species of anurans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The members of the heterobranch family Veronicellidae Gray, 1840 (commonly referred to as leatherleaf slugs) include some of the most widespread and agriculturally damaging invasive slugs. In a recent survey at Sagar Island of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, four specimens hitherto unknown from the Reserve were collected. The specimens were identified as Laevicaulis haroldi Dundee, 1980, a native of South Africa. The first observation of this species in India was noted during 2005 in Maharashtra and recently from Uttar Pradesh. The current record from West Bengal affirmed this slug to be an invasive alien species in India. Categorized as IUCN-Endangered in its native range, this species might have a wider distribution in India. In addition, the current study underscores the need of identifying invasive alien species and quantifying their population dynamics in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) known as Hirata disease, is a rare cause of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, characterised by recurrent spontaneous postprandial hypoglycemia with elevated insulin levels. It is defined by the presence of high titres of insulin auto-antibodies, with no prior exposure to exogenous insulin and no pathological abnormalities of the pancreatic islets. A 73-year-old Caucasian woman presented with one year history of intermittent hypoglycemia episodes, which had gradually worsened in the past two weeks. Biochemical measurements showed remarkably high fasting insulinemia with levels >1000 uUi/ml and post prandial plasma glucose levels (PG) between 40 and 32 mg/dl, glycated hemoglobin concentration was 5.8 % (pre-diabetes) and the abdominal computer tomography (CT) did not show abnormalities. The 72 hours fasting test was negative. Four hours after mixed meal, the patient developed hypoglycemia with glucose levels (PG) of 34 mg/dL. Fasting insulin levels were 495 Ui/l and insulin autoantibodies (IAA) were positive 1900 u/ml (normal range <0.4) leading to the diagnosis of Hirata disease. Conclusion: We report a case of spontaneous postprandial hypoglycemic episodes with highly elevated levels of insulin and insulin auto-antibodies (Hirata disease) in a Caucasian patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a transcriptional repressor involved in neurodevelopment and neuroprotection. REST forms a complex with the REST corepressors, CoREST1, CoREST2, or CoREST3 (encoded by RCOR1 , RCOR2 , and RCOR3 , respectively). Emerging evidence suggests that the CoREST family can target unique genes independently of REST, in various neural and glial cell types during different developmental stages. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the expression and function of the CoREST family in human neurodevelopment. To address this gap, we employed 2D and 3D human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models to investigate REST and RCOR gene expression levels. Our study revealed a significant increase in RCOR3 expression in glutamatergic cortical and GABAergic ventral forebrain neurons, as well as mature functional NGN2-induced neurons. Additionally, a simplified astrocyte transdifferentiation protocol resulted in a significant decrease in RCOR2 expression following differentiation. REST expression was notably reduced in mature neurons and cerebral organoids. In summary, our findings provide the first insights into the cell-type-specific expression patterns of RCOR genes in human neuronal and glial differentiation. Specifically, RCOR3 expression increases in neurons, while RCOR2 levels decrease in astrocytes. The dynamic expression patterns of REST and RCOR genes during hPSC neuronal and glial differentiation underscore the potential distinct roles played by REST and CoREST proteins in regulating the development of these cell types in humans., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The controversial issues that arise in connection with the transition of domestic enterprises to international standards are singled out, and analyzed. The comparison of the definition of « an intangible asset» (hereinafter IA) used in the legal documents during 25 years is conducted and the development of this concept in the retrospective is established. The author proposes six levels of normative accounting regulation of IA and on the basis of them the article groups the external and internal normative documents, which today regulate the accounting of IA. The issue of recognition of internally generated IA according to international standards is researched. The existence of differences in international and domestic practices regarding the use of the terms «trademarks», «service marks», «a brand name» and «marks for goods and services» is emphasized. The existence of discrepancies in the approach to understanding the accounting policies of NAS 1 and IAS 8 is established. The problem sides of the revaluation of the IA model are substantiated. The issues of valuation and amortization of IA in the enterprise’s accounting policy are covered.

Since its accidental introduction in 2003 in France, the yellow-legged Asian hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax is rapidly spreading through France and Europe. Economic assessments regarding the costs of invasive species often reveal important costs from required control measures or damages. Despite the rapid invasion of the Asian yellow-legged hornet in Europe and potential damage to apiculture and pollination services, the costs of its invasion have not been evaluated yet. Here we aimed at studying the costs arising from the Asian yellow-legged hornet invasion by providing the first estimate of the control cost. Today, the invasion of the Asian yellow-legged hornet is mostly controlled by nest destruction. We estimated that nest destruction cost €23 million between 2006 and 2015 in France. The yearly cost is increasing as the species keeps spreading and could reach €11.9 million in France, €9.0 million in Italy and €8.6 million in the United Kingdom if the species fills its current climatically suitable distribution. Although more work will be needed to estimate the cost of the Asian yellow-legged hornet on apiculture and pollination services, they likely exceed the current costs of control with nest destruction. It could thus be worth increasing control efforts by aiming at destroying a higher percentage of nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Natura Croatica is the property of Natura Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The development and configuration of the regulatory framework of the accounting systems in Romania and Hungary took place in different ways. Among the reasons for the diversities in these countries’ accounting systems, the following can be certainly mentioned: different purposes of taxation, legal structure, the accountancy’s connection with the corporate law and family law, diversification on corporate financing policy, and cultural heterogeneity. Both countries quickly caught up with the international accounting harmonization standards. The adaptation of the international accounting standards has many advantages and disadvantages; these have been discussed in several previous researches. This paper aims at comparing the Romanian and Hungarian states’ accounting regulations from the early 1990s, which were implemented in order to harmonize the states’ accountancy regulations with the international standards, and their impact on the economy, based on secondary analysis.

o artigo caracteriza e analisa a implantação do Programa Gestão Nota 10 em São José do Rio Preto, no Estado de São Paulo, no contexto de pesquisa de âmbito nacional financiada pelo Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq. O Programa, desenvolvido por meio de parceria firmada entre a municipalidade e o Instituto Ayrton Senna, IAS, ocorreu entre os anos de 2005 e 2008. O trabalho de campo indicou que a instituição privada exerceu forte ingerência sobre a gestão educacional no que se refere às formas de organização e controle do trabalho de especialistas e docentes, permanecendo após o término da parceria, procedimentos decorrentes de suas orientações. Conclui-se que o modelo de gestão adotado pelo IAS se pauta em concepções centralizadoras que não contribuem para a produção de uma escola pública de qualidade.

Invasive alien species (IAS) is a global problem that largely relates to human activities and human settlements. To prevent the further spread of IAS, we first need to know their pattern of distribution, to determine which constitutes the greatest threat, and understand which habitats and migration pathways they prefer. Our research aimed to identify the main vectors and distribution pattern of IAS of plants in the city environment. We checked the relations between species distribution and such environmental factors as urban soil type and habitat type. We applied data on IAS occurrence (collected in the period 1973–2015) in 515 permanent plots with dimensions of 0.5 × 0.5 km and analyzed by direct ordination methods. In total, we recorded 66 IAS. We found a 27% variance in the IAS distribution pattern, which can be explained by statistically significant soil and habitat types. The most important for species distribution were: river and alluvial soils, forests and related rusty soils, and places of intensive human activities, including areas of urbisols and industriosols. Our results provide details that can inform local efforts for the management and control of invasive species, and they provide evidence of the different associations between natural patterns and human land use.

Two female specimens of bioinvasive spider crab Acanthonyx euryseroche Griffin & Tranter, 1986 were collected alive in association with brown seaweeds from lower intertidal zone of Buleji (24o50'356"N 66o49'368"E) situated in the vicinity of the largest shipping port along the Karachi coast, Pakistan (Northern Arabian Sea). Collected Acanthonyx euryseroche transported to laboratory and housed in sea water filled glass aquarium for further taxonomic studies. Any previous published record of occurrence of this species is not available from Pakistan. Main feature of this species observed to have seaweeds leafy structures affixed on their head region that they use for camouflage thus hide themselves inside the seaweeds for protection purpose. A. euryseroche has been declared invasive alien species to the Indo-Pak region. Invasive alien species (IAS) spread outside of their natural distribution and considered a threat to indigenous biodiversity. Entry of this alien species in Pakistani water could be destructive to the native species. Hence, occurrence of A. euryseroche requires more rigorous study, monitoring and management plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species (IAS) can cause ecological and economic damages. To reduce or prevent these damages different management and prevention strategies aim to impede new establishments or a further spreading of IAS. However, for these measures to be successful, public knowledge of risks and threats of IAS as well as public support for eradication measures are important prerequisites. We conducted a survey to examine (i) public and experts' awareness and knowledge of IAS, (ii) their preferences for six invasive plant species and (iii) their preferences for and trade-offs among management alternatives in Switzerland. In addition, a choice experiment was applied to analyse preferences concerning the intensity, priority and costs of interventions. Both, the Swiss public and the experts have a preference for intervening against invasive alien species. However, the public and the experts differ in their priorities of combatting particular species, resulting in a different ranking of intervention necessities. Further, differences were found in the willingness to pay for interventions between the German-, French- and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland. The results suggest that a higher problem awareness increases the willingness to pay for countermeasures. We conclude that education programs or information campaigns are promising instruments to raise public awareness and to avoid conflicts concerning the management of invasive alien species. The public and experts in Switzerland approve the management of invasive neophytesWillingness to pay estimates for the management of invasive alien species (IAS) vary between 7 and 38 Mio. Swiss Francs (SFr.)/yearEcological aspects in IAS management receive a higher priority than economic aspectsHowever, only 40% of the public know the term IASProviding information on the threats of IAS increases awareness and reduces aesthetic preferences for the respective species [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]